Parks sparks Glasgow comeback

GLASGOW 28

GLASGOW produced a stunning fightback in Galway yesterday to continue their Celtic League revival. Hugh Campbell’s men looked dead and buried when they trailed by 16 points at the break - but the appearance from the bench of new Scotland international Dan Parks turned the tide in spectacular style.

Parks played a major part in the Warriors’ three late tries, and rounded off a spectacular performance by slotting two crucial conversions when it mattered most. Now Glasgow can look ahead to the rest of their Celtic League campaign with fresh hope, their prime aim being to finish ahead of the Borders to claim a Heineken Cup spot for next season.

The teams went into battle in the wake of contrasting recent fortunes. The visitors had earned a fresh surge of confidence from the previous weekend’s thrilling victory over Celtic Cup winners Ulster at Hughenden.

Connacht, on the other hand, suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Cardiff - having enjoyed their excellent European run in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup. Of all the Irish provinces, they were the least affected by Six Nations call-ups, so it was understandable that they kicked off as favourites against the team propping up the table.

Glasgow, however, looked buoyant from the outset and edged in front after just three minutes. The home pack were guilty of ploughing over the top at a ruck - leaving Calvin Howarth to slot the penalty from 35 metres.

Play during the opening exchanges was scrappy, with both sides making basic handling errors. But it was the Scots who looked the hungrier and more solid unit with centre Alan Bulloch, making a record 122nd appearance, providing the initial threats in midfield.

But Connacht began to settle and grabbed control with a 15th-minute try by recalled winger Connor McPhillips. The conversion was added by former Ireland stand-off Eric Elwood. Glasgow responded to the setback in positive fashion and reduced the leeway with Howarth’s second penalty but McPhillips was quickly back in the spotlight claiming another touchdown following a strong gallop by lock Mike McCarthy.

This time Elwood was off-target with the kick and the Scots kept themselves in the hunt when Howarth completed his penalty treble. The strike proved to be only a minor setback for the Irishmen and a rush of points in the minutes leading up to the interval put them firmly in the driving seat.

First Elwood banged over a penalty, then as the pressure told on Glasgow, full-back Mark McHugh slid over for try number three in the corner after a swift and sure handling move.

Elwood landed the conversion from the touchline - but even worse was to come for the Warriors on the stroke of half-time when prop Euan Murray was ordered to the sin-bin, handing Elwood another three points in the process to make the margin 16.

The Glasgow revival was sparked by the arrival of Parks in place of Howarth in the 50th minute. He made an instant impact by providing the long pinpoint pass for winger Sean Lamont to claw back five points. Then four minutes later, Glasgow dashed out of defence and put together a series of well-controlled phases as they worked their way upfield. With the Connacht defence stretched, Glenn Metcalfe squeezed across after taking the feed from Rory Kerr. Parks added the conversion to set up a tense finale.

The resurgence appeared to be stemmed when Elwood fired over his third penalty six minutes from the end. But Parks had the last word by sending Bulloch over for another try in stoppage time, then adding the equalising conversion.

Connacht: M McHugh; M Mostyn (T Robinson 30, D Hewitt 75), D Yapp, S Moore, C McPhillips; E Elwood, C O’Loughlin (M Walls 58); D McFarland, B Jackman, A Clarke, M McCarthy, A Farley, P Neville, T Carter, J O’Sullivan.

Glasgow: G Metcalfe; R Kerr, G Morrison, A Bulloch, S Lamont; C Howarth (D Parks 50), G Beveridge; E Murray, S Lawson, A Kelly, J Beardshaw (A Hall 36), N Ross, P Dearlove (R Reid 23), D Macfadyen, J Petrie.

Referee: H Watkins (WRU)

Scorers: Connacht - Tries: McPhillips 2, McHugh. Cons: Elwood 2. Pens: Elwood 3. Glasgow - Tries: Lamont, Metcalfe, Bulloch. Cons: Parks 2. Pen: Howarth 3